Have you heard of National Backyard Cricket? Do you wish to be a part of it?

To know more here’s an insightful interview with, Gurnam Singh, National Backyard Cricket Multicultural Ambassador.

What is National Backyard Cricket?

National Backyard Cricket is a community event open to everyone of all ages to take time out with family and friends to play a game of cricket for a good cause. The funds raised from the initiative will go towards supporting regional country libraries in Australia and tertiary education projects in other cricket-playing nations.

Many of us have fond memories of playing cricket in our backyards, local park or neighbourhood. National Backyard Cricket is a great way to enjoy cricket this summer while making a difference by improving educational opportunities and quality for disadvantaged children in Australian and overseas. Australians can play their game of Backyard Cricket anytime over the summer in the lead-up to National Backyard Cricket Day on Sunday 6th February 2022.

What is the most memorable experience you have of either playing or watching a cricket game?

The most memorable experience is when I played the celebrity cricket match with players and the NSW police to raise the funds for Sydney Children Hospital. 

There is a strong Indian and South Asian cricketing community in Australia. In what ways does cricket bring these communities together?

I believe sports bring everyone together and cricket is not just a game but is like a religion in India and other South-Asian countries that brings a lot of excitement and frenzy amongst the fans and I think the dedication and the love for a common game bring the communities together. 

National Backyard Cricket is raising funds. Who will be the beneficiaries?

Funds raised from National Backyard Cricket will support education for underprivileged children in regional Australia and other cricket-playing nations. In 2021, a total of $70,000 in funding grants raised was distributed to 54 Australian county libraries working with Friends of Libraries Australia (FOLA).

The LBW Trust, of which National Backyard Cricket is the fundraising arm, currently also supports 1,500 tertiary students to undertake university or vocational education via 11 NGOs in 8 cricket playing countries including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Afghanistan and Indonesia. In 2021, Indian and Sri Lankan students were key recipients of the funds raised by National Backyard Cricket, and this was invaluable to support their education and relieve the pressure on their families facing the devastating impact of the pandemic.

By registering a game or donating at https://www.nationalbackyardcricket.com/, you can help National Backyard Cricket provide transformational educational opportunities for disadvantaged young men and women and give them a brighter future.

What role and importance does sport have in the bilateral relationship between Australia and India? Tell us more about your cricket fan club ‘Swamy Army’ which you have set up.

Australia and India have several commonalities and share a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” since both were part of the British Empire. Both are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. They also share political, economic, security, lingual and sporting ties. Before the Border–Gavaskar Trophy, both the countries had played each other 50 times in Tests in 49 years from 1947 to 1996. Australia was the first country India toured soon after their Independence. Talking about Swamy Army – it has a long history going back to 2003-04 when it was first formed by a group of Indian cricket fans.  Since then the fan club has gone strengths with large number members and number of tours worldwide. We aim to be the widest-reaching cricket fan club in the world, bringing together like-minded Indians from all walks of life, residing across countries and various religions to celebrate Indian cricket.

As the Multicultural Ambassador for National Backyard Cricket, tell us how you will be promoting this excellent initiative.

Backyard cricket is loved by all the communities in Australia. National Backyard Cricket Day brings an opportunity to take time out with your family and friends to enjoy a game of cricket in your backyard.  To celebrate this day, as a cricket ambassador I have organised the game at many different locations like parks in the past and to promote this initiative I will continue organising this beautiful game at new sites to be enjoyed by all age groups.